Skip to main content

A Cross-National Comparison of Risk Factors for Teen Dating Violence in Mexico and the United States

Journal of Youth and Adolescence volume 47, pages 547–559 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Involvement in dating violence has been linked with negative health outcomes including depressive symptomology, substance use, and later expressions of aggressing and victimizing behaviors. Less is known about the prevalence and mental health correlates of teen dating violence in countries like Mexico where adult partner violence is high. Additional research on teen dating violence is also needed, as it may be an important precursor to adult partner violence and linked to other mental health problems. The current study used self-report ratings to assess the similarities and differences in risk factors associated with dating violence among middle school students in Mexico and the United States. The US sample (Nus = 15,099; Mus = 12.8; 49.5% female) included non-Hispanic Caucasian (24.9%), Hispanic American (20.3%), and African American (24.2%) adolescents. The Mexican sample (NMexico = 2211; MMexico = 13.67; 51% female) included 93.1% adolescents of Hispanic or Latin descent. Logistic regressions showed that dating violence victimization was reported at similar rates in the cross-national samples, though exposure to risk factors like deviant peers and substance use differed significantly by country. Our analyses indicated that, although the country of residence was not significantly associated with dating violence victimization, the strength of the association between some known risk factors and dating violence victimization varied as a function of nationality, such that there was a significant interaction between country of residence, Mexico or the US, and experiencing internalizing symptoms on experiencing physical dating violence victimization. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on dating violence, both inside and outside the US.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Archer, J. (2000). Sex differences in aggression between heterosexual partners: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 126(5), 651–680. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.126.5.651.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, Z. D., Krieger, N., Agénor, M., Graves, J., Linos, N., & Bassett, M. T. (2017). Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: Evidence and interventions. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1453–1463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore, S., & Mills, K. L. (2014). Is adolescence a sensitive period for sociocultural processing? Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 187–207. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, C. P., Waasdorp, T. E., Debnam, K. J., & Johnson, L. S. (2014). Measuring school climate in high schools: A focus on safety, engagement, and the environment. Journal of School Health, 84(9), 593–604. doi:10.1111/josh.12186.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, C. P., Waasdorp, T. E., & O’Brennan, L. M. (2013). A latent class approach to examining forms of peer victimization. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105, 839–849. doi:10.1037/a0032091.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks-Russell, A., Foshee, V. A., & Ennett, S. T. (2013). Predictors of latent trajectory classes of physical dating violence victimization. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(4), 566–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Capaldi, D. M., Dishion, T. J., Stoolmiller, M., & Yoerger, K. (2001). Aggression toward female partners by at-risk young men: The contribution of male adolescent friendships. Developmental Psychopathology, 37(1), 61–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capaldi, D. M., Knoble, N. B., Shortt, J. W., & Kim, H. K. (2012). A systematic review of risk factors for intimate partner violence. Partner Abuse, 3(2), 231–280. doi:10.1891/1946-6560.3.2.231.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2010 summary report. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_executive_summary-a.pdf.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). 1991–2011 High school youth risk behavior survey data. Available at: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. Accessed 15 August 2015.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014a). Bullying surveillance among school-age children: Uniform definitions and recommended data elements. Accessed 15 August 2015.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014b). Adolescent and school health youth online: High school YRBS; Accessed 14 August 2015.

  • Chase, K., Treboux, D., & O’Leary, K. D. (2002). Characteristics of high-violence adolescents’ dating violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(1), 33–49. doi:10.1177/0886260502017001003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • East, P. L., & Hokoda, A. (2015). Risk and protective factors for sexual and dating violence victimization: A longitudinal, prospective study of Latino and African American adolescents. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 44(6), 1288–1300. doi:10.1007/s10964-015-0273-5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, W. E., & Wolfe, D. A. (2015). Bullying predicts reported dating violence and observed qualities in adolescent dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(17), 3043–3064. doi:10.1177/0886260514554428.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • EMVIM. (2004). Encuesta Nacional sobre Violencia contra las Mujeres. [National survey on violence against women] ENVIM 2003. Cuernavaca, Morelos: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.

    Google Scholar 

  • Exner-Cortens, D., Eckenrode, J., & Rothman, E. (2013). Longitudinal associations between teen dating violence victimization and adverse health outcomes. Pediatrics, 131(1), 71–78. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-1029.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., Benefield, T. S., Ennet, S. T., Bauman, K. E., & Suchindran, C. (2004). Longitudinal predictors of serious physical and sexual dating violence victimization during adolescence. Preventative Medicine, 39, 1007–1016. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.04.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., McNaughton Reyes, H. L., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Basile, K. C., Chang, L. Y., Faris, R., & Ennett, S. T. (2014). Bullying as a longitudinal predictor of adolescent dating violence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(3), 349–344. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.03.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, J., & Monette, G. (1992). Generalized collinearity diagnostics. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 87(417), 178–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frías, S.M. (2009). Gender, the state and patriarchy: Partner violence in Mexico (Dissertation). https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/3878/friasmartinezs72092.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y.

  • Galanti, G. A. (2003). The hispanic family and male-female relationships: An overview. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 14(3), 180–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Guarda, R. M., Ortega, J., Vasquez, E. P., & DeSantis, J. (2010). La mancha negra: Substance abuse, violence and sexual risks among hispanic males. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 32, 128–148. doi:10.1177/0193945909343495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halpern, C. T., Oslak, S. G., Young, M. L., Martin, S. L., & Kupper, L. L. (2001). Partner violence among adolescents in opposite-sex romantic relationships: Findings from the national longitudinal study of adolescent health. American Journal of Public Health, 91(10), 1679–1685.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hamby, S., & Turner, H. (2013). Measuring teen dating violence in males and females: Insights from the national survey of children’s exposure to violence. Psychology of Violence, 3(4), 323–329. doi:10.1037/a0029706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heise, L. L., & Kotsadam, A. (2015). Cross-national and multilevel correlates of partner violence: An analysis of data from population-based surveys. The Lancet Global Health, 3, 332–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, C., Evans-Lacko, S., Flach, C., & Thornicroft, G. (2012). Responses to mental health stigma questions: The importance of social desirability and data collection method. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(3), 152–160.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hindelang, M. S., Gottfredson, M., & Garofalo, J. (1978). Victims of personal crime. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hokoda, A., Galván, D. B., Malcarne, V. L., Castañeda, D. M., & Ulloa, E. C. (2007). An exploratory study examining teen dating violence, acculturation and acculturative stress in Mexican-American adolescents. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, 14(3), 33–49. doi:10.1300/J146v14n03_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, M. K., & Espelage, D. L. (2005). Social support as a moderator between dating violence victimization and depression/ anxiety among African American and Caucasian adolescents. School Psychology Review, 34(3), 309–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosmer, D. W., & Lemeshow, S. (1980). A goodness-of-fit test for the multiple logistic regression model. Communications in Statistics, 10, 1043–1069.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huesmann, R., Guerra, N., Miller, L., & Zelli, A. (1992). The role of social norms in the development of aggression. In H. Zumkley, & A. Fraczek (Eds.), Socialization and aggression. New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez Tapia, A., Wagner, F., Rivera Heredia, M. E., & González-Forteza, C. (2015). Estudio de la depression en estudiantes de la Ciudad de México y del Estado de Michaocán por medio de la version revisada de la CES-D. (Spanish). Salud Mental, 38(2), 103–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jouriles, E. N., Garrido, E., Rosenfield, D., & McDonald, R. (2009). Experiences of psychological and physical aggression in adolescent romantic relationships: Links to psychological distress. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33(7), 451–460. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.11.005.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jouriles, E. N., Platt, C., & McDonald, R. (2009). Violence in adolescent dating relationships. The Prevention Researcher, 16, 3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koker, P. D., Matthews, C., Zuch, M., Bastien, S., & Mason-Jones, A. J. (2014). A systematic review of interventions for preventing adolescent intimate partner violence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 54(1), 3–13. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.08.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leen, E., Sorbring, E., Mawer, M., Holdsworth, E., Helsing, B., & Bowen, E. (2013). Prevalence, dynamic risk factors and the efficacy of primary interventions for adolescent dating violence: An international review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18, 159–174. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2012.11.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manning, W. D., Giordano, P. C., & Longmore, M. A. (2006). Hooking up: The relationship contexts of “nonrelationship sex.”. Journal of Adolescent Research, 21(5), 459–483. doi:10.1177/0743558406291692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moral de la Rubia, J., & Ramos Basurto, S. (2016). Machismo, victimización y perpetración en mujeres y hombres Mexicanos. Estudios Sobre Las Culturas Contemporáneas, 21(43), 37–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, V., Jouriles, E. N., McDonald, R., & Rosenfield, D. (2013). Adolescent beliefs about the acceptability of dating violence: Does violent behavior change them? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(2), 436–450. doi:10.1177/0886260512454716.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Negy, C., Ferguson, C. J., Galvanovskis, A., & Smither, R. (2013). Predicting violence: A cross-national study of United States and Mexican young adults. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 32(1), 54–70. doi:10.1521/jscp.2013.32.1.54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niolon, P. H., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Latzman, N. E., Valle, L. A., Kuoh, H., & Burton, T., et al. (2015). Prevalence of teen dating violence and co-occurring risk factors among middle school youth in high-risk urban communities. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(2), S5–S13. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.07.019.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Novak, J., & Furman, W. (2016). Partner violence during adolescence and young adulthood: Individual and relationship level risk factors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1849–1861. doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0484-4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. New York, NY: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (2004). Behavior assessment system for children (BASC-2). Circle Pines, MN: AGS. [Measurement Instrument].

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivera-Rivera, L., Allen-Leigh, B., Rodriguez-Ortega, G., Chavez-Ayala, R., & Lazcano-Ponce, E. (2006). Violencia durante el noviazgo, depresion y conductas de riesgo en estudiantes femeninas (12-24 anos). (Spanish). Salud Publica de Mexico, 48(2), 288–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivera-Rivera, L., Allen-Leigh, B., Rodriguez-Ortega, G., Chavez-Ayala, & Lazcano-Ponce, E. (2007). Prevalence and correlates of adolescent dating violence: Baseline study of a cohort of 7960 male and female Mexican public school students. Preventative Medicine, 44, 477–484. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.02.020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivera-Rivera, L., Lazcano-Ponce, E., Salazar-Martinez, E., Castro, R., & Hernandez-Avila, M. (2004). Prevalence and determinants of male partner violence against Mexican women: A population-based study. Salud Publica Mexico, 46, 113–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabina, C., Cueves, C. A., & Cotignola-Pickens, H. M. (2016). Longitudinal dating violence victimization among Latino teens: Rates, risk factors, and cultural influences. Journal of Adolescence, 47, 5–15. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.11.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schnurr, M. P., & Lohman, B. J. (2008). How much does school matter? An examination of adolescent dating violence perpetration. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 266–283. doi:10.1007/s10964-007-9246-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sears, H. A., Byers, E. S., & Price, E. L. (2007). The co-occurrence of adolescent boys’ and girls’ use of psychologically, physically, and sexually abusive behaviors in their dating relationships. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 487–504. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2006.05.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla, K., Waasdorp, T. E., Lindstrom Johnson, S., Solis, M. G. O., Nguyen, A. J., Bradshaw, C. P. (2017). Does school climate mean the same thing in the U.S. as in Mexico? A focus on measurement invariance. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Washington, D.C.

  • Steinhauer, P. D. (2011). Clinical and service applications of the theory of resiliency with particular reference to adolescents. International Journal of Adolescent Medical Health, 13(1), 53–74. doi:10.1515/IJAMH.2001.13.1.53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strunin, L., Díaz-Martínez, A., Díaz-Martínez, L. R., Kuranz, S., Hernández-Ávila, C. A., Pantridge, C. E., & Fernández-Varela, H. (2015). Natural mentors and youth drinking: A qualitative study of Mexican youths. Health Education Research, 30(4), 660–670. doi:10.1093/her/cyv030.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). The CBHSQ report. Rockville, MD: Rachel N. Lipari and Struther Van Horn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Temple, J. R., & Freeman, D. H. (2011). Dating violence and substance use among ethnically diverse adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(4), 701–718. doi:10.1177/0886260510365858.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ulloa, E. C., Jaycox, L. H., Marshall, G. N., & Collins, R. L. (2004). Acculturation, gender stereotypes, and attitudes about dating violence among Latino youth. Violence and Victims, 19(3), 273–287. doi:10.1891/vivi.19.3.273.65765.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ulloa, E. C., Jaycox, L. H., Skinner, S. K., & Orsburn, M. M. (2008). Attitudes about violence and dating among Latino/a boys and girls. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 17(2), 157–176. doi:10.1080/15313200801941721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vagi, K. J., Rothman, E. F., Latzman, N. E., Tharp, A. T., Hall, D. M., & Breiding, M. J. (2013). Beyond correlates: A review of risk and protective factors for adolescent dating violence perpetration. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 633–649. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-9907-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Vicary, J. R., Klingaman, L. R., & Harkness, W. L. (1995). Risk factors associated with date rape and sexual assault of adolescent girls. Journal of Adolescence, 18, 289–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villatoro, J. A., Medina-Mora, M. E., Juárez, F., Rojas, E., Carreño, S., & Berenzon, S. (1998). Drug use pathways among high school students of Mexico. Addiction, 93(10), 1577–1588.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., O’Malley Olsen, E., & Bacon, S. (2016). Associations of teen dating violence victimization with school violence and bullying among US high school students. Journal of School Health, 86(8), 620–627. doi:10.1111/josh.12412.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Welch, B. L. (1938). The significance of the difference between two means when the population variances are unequal. Biometrika, 34, 29–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, M. P., & Savage, T. E. (2014). Social-ecological influences on teen dating violence: A youth rights and capabilities approach to exploring context. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 7(3), 163–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2002). World report on violence and health. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/42495/1/9241545615_eng.pdf.

  • World Health Organization (2016). Violence against women: Intimate partner and sexual violence against women [Fact sheet]. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/.

  • World Health Organization International Consortium in Psychiatric Epidemiology. (2000). Cross-national comparisons of the prevalences and correlates of mental disorders. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 78(4), 413–426.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by grants from the U.S. Department of Education, the William T. Grant Foundation, and National Institute of Justice to the last author.

Authors’ Contributions

S.L. conceived of the study, performed the statistical analyses and interpretation of the data, and led the writing of the manuscript. J.B. contributed to the conceptualization, statistical interpretation of the data, and contributed to the writing of the study by reviewing drafts and providing feedback. K.D. contributed to the conceptualization, statistical interpretation of the data, and contributed to the writing of the study by reviewing drafts and providing feedback. M.S. oversaw the Mexican administration of the study from which data for this study. C.B. oversaw implementation and administration of the study from which data for this study were drawn and contributed to the writing of the study by reviewing drafts and providing feedback. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Education, the William T. Grant Foundation, and National Institute of Justice to the last author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, USA

    Samantha Ludin, Jessika H. Bottiani & Catherine P. Bradshaw

  2. Department of Family, Community & Mental Health Systems, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, USA

    Katrina Debnam

  3. University of Guadalajara, Av. Juárez No. 976, Centro, 44100, Guadalajara, Mexico

    Mercedes Gabriela Orozco Solis

Authors
  1. Samantha Ludin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jessika H. Bottiani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Katrina Debnam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mercedes Gabriela Orozco Solis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Catherine P. Bradshaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samantha Ludin.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the Internal Review Board of Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. The consent procedures were approved by the participating school and by the university Institutional Review Board.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ludin, S., Bottiani, J.H., Debnam, K. et al. A Cross-National Comparison of Risk Factors for Teen Dating Violence in Mexico and the United States. J Youth Adolescence 47, 547–559 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0701-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0701-9

Keywords

  • Teen dating violence
  • Cross-national study
  • Mexico
  • Intimate partner violence